With US forces moving into Poland, Russian “rapid-response” drills underway, and navy exercises in the Baltic Sea, the idea of “saber-rattling” now seems obvious. However, as NATO closes in on its borders, the Russian Navy’s commander, Admiral Chirkov, stated that the intensity of Russian submarines’ combat patrol missions has been up 50% since the beginning of 2014. As the nation celebrates “Submariner Day”, Chirkov explained, “we do not indulge in saber rattling… this is necessary and natural for guaranteed security of the state.”